New Reviews Jan 22nd 2012

Earth- Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II-CD (Southern Lord)

Earth has become a Post Rock/ Post Metal force where the band conveys emotion , power and passion in a way few bands do anymore. Yes at one time the were a crushing doom force but as the band found there direction over the last 20 yrs they have over I would say 4 releases gelled and become modern classical music. with lush strings, flowing guitars, simple percussion and the understanding that less can really be so much more in music. This is the 2nd part to an album that in no way could have been topped and with this its not its just added to the majestic nature of all things Dylan and his crew does. If you like bands like  Silver Mt Zion, Polvo, Later Sonic Youth and American music then you will be drawn in with the Blues, Bluegrass and very avant tuning's that are used here. Earth is a band that will change the way you think about how music can be presented and created. 

http://southernlord.com/

Monarch- Omen- CD (At A Loss)

THIS IS DOOM!! SOUL CRUSHING SLOW DRONING DOOM!!!!. I BOW DOWN TO THEE AND SIT AT THE ALTAR OF SONIC CREATION AND DESTRUCTION AT THE VERY SAME MOMENT... SLOW, PAINFUL, HOPELESS and TORTURED . WHAT MORE REALLY NEED TO BE SAID... YES THIS IS ALL IN CAPS BECAUSE THIS ALBUM IS THAT IMPORTANT TO DOOM/DEATH AND DRONE DOOM FANS. YOU LIKE KHANATE, SUNN00)), GNAW, ESOTERIC AND GRIEF THEN YOU MUST GET THIS AT ALL COST. MONARCH IS LIKE MOLASSES TO THE DOOMED SOULS OUT THERE WOW!!!! 3 SONGS OVER 30 MINS LONG YOU CAN NOT ASK FOR MORE OTHER THEN THE NEXT RELEASE ....

http://atalossrecordings.com/

Rising- To Solemn Ash-CD(Exile on Mainstream)

So what we have here is a mix of Mastodon, Crowbar and Celtic Frost thrown in for that Death/Thrash element that Frost is so known for. This is a massive sounding release that loves to add Thrash metal elements into Sludge Doom something that as said the two above bands have been doing for years. this is not something I expected from Exile on Mainstream a more Post Rock, Heavy Indie record label but you know what I going to say damn glad to hear it. Love the guitars they are so dirty and nasty in tone they work amazing with the throaty vocal yelling that the vocalist is working on. Rising at times makes me want to circle pit as well. This unit needs to tour with Mastodon as they are the perfect paring. 

http://mainstreamrecords.de/

SYVEN-Aikaintaite-CD (Vendlus Records)

As I read about this my heathen side became very interested in this as its a new project from Nest member and as we dig into this is a very ethereal pagan journey with ritualistic and nature based elements running through out . What I hear at this time is a mix of  Ruhr Hunter, Skepticism and Tenhi with moments of bands like Of the wand and the moon . I do not want to think its neo folk in anyway its more Ambient Heathen Folk Doom. The chants and innovations are so powerful to say the lease with the acoustic wind instruments , organs and doomy guitars, death vox and primal percussion. This is for the forgotten part of you memory of when the world look to the sky's and mother nature as the providers and parents of the children of this world. SYVEN gives me chills and it should do the very same to you if you have any kind of humanity left in you. Remember you roots as they will save you in the end. 

http://vendlus.com/

Mondrian Oak- Aeon- CD (Eibon Records)

Its been far too long since I've heard from Eibon home to some brilliant release Canaan, Nothing, Gruntsplatter, Control, Esoteric etc. Well with this release we have a very dark  Post Rock album with gothic and metallic overtone. You can feel the heaviness in this album and the layers and the time they took to create  Aeon if your a fan of Earth or Russian Circles this is a must own as they are very much in the same Doomy Post Rock world that these artist have created or even the more aggressive side of Mogwai. Mondrian Oak have a talent that many do not in this day and age. They have a way to make the sounds of Isis and Neurosis mix the Post rock world and not sound clone like. Eibon is a label that cares about every release and clearly not in it for the fame or massive $$$$$$. I hope this becomes a classic like many of thier other releases.

http://www.eibonrecords.com/

Opera Diabolicus- + 1614-CD (Metalville)

Wow more Sci fi, Prog Death/Black metal I was not ready for this if you like bands like Oxiplegatz, Therion, Ayreon and Dimmu Borgir all mixed into one stew then Opera Diabolicus is for you a mix of Operatic Sung male and female vocals, death vox and prog elements all going to a symphonic death metal release that could have been created by Savatage or Yes at the same time. While this band is everywhere at once it all works so well. Its a play set to metallic /prog music. Opera Diabolic is going to take the world by storm with the right promotion. This could be the next big underground force. If you like bands like T.S.O and Nevermore  and Older Iced Earth it will win you over as well Symphonic Black metal crowd. This is not a simple listen but its not suppose to be. You feel like you've been part of something greater after listening to this album. A must listen!!!

http://metalville.de/